Newsletter for March 15, 2007
HELP Center Announcements
Save the Dates: Wednesdays 12:00 – 2:00
Student Parent HELP Center Group Updates:
The Student Parent HELP Center Parent Group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 12-2 in Room 24, Appleby Hall. We provide a free lunch for those attending group.
The weekly discussions are based on the input we receive from student parents throughout the course of the semester. Each week, we will try to provide as much information and sharing as possible among student parents, as we feel you are the experts on your experiences as parents. The input you receive from group can be used, or not used, based on your needs and interest. We love to have you share your triumphs and challenges as students and as parents, and we look forward to hearing from you throughout the semester!
Upcoming topics and speakers:
Wednesday March 28: Nimo Yusuf, Nutrition Education Assistant form the U of M Extension Services
Wednesday April 4: Kids Clothing Exchange
Any suggestions or questions, please ask group facilitators Jerri Wagner or Ali Cain.
We Need You…
The Student Parent HELP Center, along with SPA, is planning another Student Parent Visibility Day. We will need volunteers, from a variety of academic majors, to share your experience with teen parents visiting the U of M from three different teen parenting programs in the metro area. Mark your calendars for May 1, 2007, from 11:00 – 2:00, outside of Morrill Hall on Northrop Plaza. If you are interested please let us know by emailing sphc@umn.edu, there will be free food!!!
Mark your Calendar…
The End of Year Celebration and Graduation Party will be held this year on May 12, 2007 from 11 AM – 1 PM. This celebration is a chance for students and families to get together and honor student parents who have graduated over the past academic year, and all the rest of you who have successfully completed another year. All students and families are welcome to attend the event. We are still working on a location for the event, but please watch the newsletter for more information as we approach May.
Parenting Information
Free Thursday Car Seat Safety Clinic
Every Thursday from 3 pm – 6 pm (except on holidays), you can have your car seat inspected for proper installation and use at Fire Station 21 in Minneapolis. The inspections are held by appointment only, will last about 40 minutes and are performed by trained experts – call 612-873-6002 (and ask for Mike) to make a reservation. This is Free.
Fire Station 21 – Minneapolis
3209 E 38th Street
Minneapolis, MN
Kids Eat Free!
In group we handed out information regarding restaurants in the metro area that allow kids to eat free. Be sure to check the day and/or age restrictions. You can find a list of local restaurants at: http://www.momtalk.com/2007/02/kids_eat_free_1.cfm
Scholarship Information
2007-2008 Carol E. Macpherson Memorial Scholarship & Alumnae Society Scholarship
Application deadline is Monday April 30, 2007 at 4:30 PM.
The eligibility requirements for the scholarships include:
- Women students (28 years or older) who have had five-year or longer breaks in their post-secondary education
- Demonstrated financial need
- Admission or pending admission to an undergraduate or graduate/professional degree or credit certificate program at any U of MN Campus
- Meet half-time enrollment status minimum
- Provide academic transcripts of all college/post-secondary enrollment
- Complete 2007-2008 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filed at least three weeks before the scholarship deadline
- Good academic standing at the University of Minnesota
- Submit support letters from two references who have known student & her educational goals
You can download the application materials from the Office for University Women web site: http://www1.umn.edu/women/scholar.htm
If you have questions on the materials or the scholarships you can contact the Office for University Women at 612-625-9837 or email the office at women@umn.edu
Events
There are events around the metro area for families and kids almost every day of the week. You can find a complete list of events at momtalk.com. The following are examples of some of these events and are all free or low-cost.
Information found at: http://www.momtalk.com/2007/02/whats_up_weekly_in_the_twin_ci.cfm
Monday
Tale Time at Wild Rumpus – Story time for babies through preschoolers. Monday’s 10:30 AM, Free. 2720 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis. For more information call 612-920-5005.
Tuesday
Open Gym – Family village
Use their wide open space to get the winter wiggles out of your little ones. There is a short circle time with songs, stories, parachute play and various other activities. The rest of the time is yours to play with the many toys, balls, and equipment designed to develop gross motor skills. 6 mo – 6 yrs with parent. 10:30 am – 5:00 pm. Circle times at 11:00 and 4:00. Season pass: $56.00 (you get 4 classes free. Plus, come to any or all of the gym times) or Drop In for $3.50.
Family Village, 4000 Winnetka Ave N, Suite 300, New Hope, MN 55427. For more information call 763-546-0885.
Toddler Tuesday – Mall of America
Toddler Tuesday is a program that provides events, free entertainment and discounts especially for toddlers. Events include special character appearances, arts and crafts, story time and more. 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Free
Mall of America, Bloomington, MN. For more information call 952-883-8800
Wednesday
ArtSlam – Dayton’s Bluff Library
Ongoing meetings for teens interested in visual and performing arts. Check with library for exceptions and times. Ages 12 and up. Free.
645 East Seventh Street, St. Paul, MN. 651-793-1633. www.sppl.org
Thursday
Story time Thursday – Oakdale Branch Library
Every Thursday evening the Oakdale Branch of the Washington County Library offers a free (all ages welcome) story time. The library is located just east of the Carmike 20 theater on 10th Street.
7 pm. All ages, For more information please call 651-730-0504.
Washington County Library – Oakdale Branch
1010 Heron Avenue North, Oakdale, MN 55128
Friday
Friday Family Fun Night – Minnesota Childrens Museum
Families can come and enjoy Family Arts activities, bedtime stories and special programming on the one night the museum is open late. 5 pm – 8 pm. Free with paid museum admission. For more information call 651-225-6001.
10 West Seventh Street, St. Paul, MN
Saturday
Free First Saturday Workshops for Kids – Home Depot.
Free Workshops for school age kids. The kids get to don their very own orange Home Depot apron and make a project to take home. Samples of past projects include squirrel feeders and wooden toys. The workshops last about 30 minutes and start at 10 AM, 10:30 AM, and 11 AM at most Twin Cities locations. Ages 9-12. Call your Twin Cities Home Depot to pre-register as class sizes are limited.
Cool Web Resource
This is another cool website that as parents you might find useful. They have information and ideas on arts and crafts, birthday parties, playtime, recipes, and family fun activities. They even have kid friendly recipes that you can make with your child.
Grants Update
Post Secondary Child Care Grant (PSCCG): New money was received from the state of Minnesota MNHESO (Minnesota Higher Education Services Office), and we were able to serve all waitlisted students for spring 2007 PSCCG program.
CCAMPIS: All applications have been processed and the awards are now being prepared for disbursement to child care providers. Child care centers should receive their checks from the U of MN by approximately April 1, 2007. There is no longer any money left in this grant fund for 2006-2007.
As of fall 2007 the Department of Education is insisting that all students accessing CCAMPIS funding must use licensed AND accredited child care center programs ONLY. If you are not currently using a fully accredited facility and have received CCAMPIS funds in the past, you will need to find a new provider by fall 2007. Those students not using an accredited facility will be re-screened for Post Secondary Grant eligibility. If you change to an accredited facility you should call Susan Warfield as soon as the change as made so you can remain, or be added to the CCAMPIS Grant list for fall 2007. Her number is 612-625-0825.
TAP: Due to the ever increasing demand for child care assistance the SPHC was forced to use all of our remaining emergency funds for spring 2007 child care grants. At this point in time this fund is depleted until we are able to raise more money. The SPHC will not be able to offer emergency assistance grants until further notice.
If you have any questions regarding the grants please contact the office at 612-626-6015.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
It is time to start thinking about filing a FAFSA for next academic year. You can visit the FAFSA website at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm for questions and to complete an electronic version of the application. Every student should try to submit their FAFSA by the stated priority processing deadline. Waiting too long to submit can result in less financial aid assistance.
It is strongly recommended that you check “NO” to the FAWA box on your FAFSA. This is a statement giving the university permission to pay your student account before any money is refunded to you. Checking yes to this item makes it impossible for the SPHC to run emergency grants through your account and can lead to problems with disbursement of your child care grants.
For updated information, including changes as the result of a new federal law that went into effect July 1, 2006 you go to the following link to determine if the changes will impact your student aid: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/hera.htm
All programs of the SPHC are available to undergraduates only
Who’s Who at SPHC
Susan Warfield, MSW, LICSW
As the Director of the SPHC, I am responsible for overseeing all programs of the Student Parent HELP Center and supervising SPHC staff. This has meant that I have had to step back from having the degree of direct contact with students I have always enjoyed having. This has been a difficult but necessary step for me to take in order to meet the needs of our growing program. If you have an issue that absolutely cannot be addressed by another SPHC staff member, you may schedule an appointment with me. These appointments should be booked through the SPHC front desk. Intakes and basic questions about services offered should be directed to Jerri Wagner, Melissa Schmidt, Ali Cain, or Zer Xiong. I am entering my 7th year with the HELP Center and during this journey have moved from staff, to Coordinator and now Director. With this evolution has come an increase in responsibilities and duties. Please know that even though you may not see as much of me in the actual Center as you may have in the past, I continue to work each and every day to bring you the programming, funding and visibility on campus that student parents need to have a successful experience at the U of MN. We are experiencing a bit of a crisis on the private child care funding side and I really need to devote most of my attention this year to finding more child care assistance and emergency grant funding in order to keep up with demand. Have no fear; you will continue to hear my raucous laughter echoing through the SPHC!
Jerri Wagner, MSW, LGSW
I am the new Direct Service Program Coordinator for the Student Parent HELP Center. Originally from New York State, I graduated from Syracuse University in 2000 with an undergraduate degree in theatre, with minors in sociology and women’s studies. After undergrad, I was an AmeriCorps volunteer for one year in Chicago, teaching arts integration on the west side in a Chicago Public School. In June of 2003, I graduated with my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Chicago. While in graduate school, I served as a therapist with Chicago’s Metropolitan YWCA, working with survivors of sexual assault and their families. From 2003-2006, I coordinated two statewide youth violence prevention programs for the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention in Chicago. Prior to relocating to Minneapolis, I spent March-June of 2006 traveling and learning abroad in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. I would love to talk about any of these varied experiences with you and really look forward to working with such an amazing and resilient population at the SPHC!
Melissa Schmidt
Hello, I am one of two social work interns at the HELP Center this year. I am in the Masters of Social Work program here at the University and am really excited to be involved in the HELP Center this year. Along with graduate school, I am also an employee at The Aurora Center here on campus. I have a son, Aiden, who was born 10/5/05. I’m looking forward to working with all of you this upcoming semester.
Ali Cain
I am pleased to be completing an internship at the Student Parent HELP Center. I am in my last year of the Masters of Social Work program at the U of M, where I also completed my undergraduate degree in Family Social Science. I have worked at a large family homeless shelter for the past five years. I am looking forward to an exciting year, working on campus alongside a great staff and motivated student parents!
Zer Xiong
Hi! It is my pleasure to be the undergraduate teaching assistant (UGTA) for the Student Parent Help Center. I am also a student parent myself. I have a son who was born on 11/27/06. Currently, I am pursuing a bachelor of arts in the Inter-College Program in the following three areas: Sociology, Family Social Science, and Public Health. Feel free to ask me any questions if you need help in the Student Parent Help Center.
Comments, questions or ideas about useful information for this newsletter can be directed to Melissa Schmidt at sphc@umn.edu.